Northern Ireland

'IRA' threatens to target border infrastructure

SDLP Policing Board member Dolores Kelly
SDLP Policing Board member Dolores Kelly SDLP Policing Board member Dolores Kelly

Any new border infrastructure would be a “legitimate target for attack” the republican group known as the 'IRA' has warned.

The claim was made in an interview broadcast by Channel 4 last night.

During the interview a masked man claiming to be from the 'IRA', which is sometimes referred to as the New IRA, said he had been “mandated” by the group's 'Army Council' to speak on its behalf.

Republican sources last night confirmed to the Irish News that the interview was given by a member of the ‘IRA’.

The spokesman said the organisation was "committed to armed struggle for political and social change in Ireland".

He added: “Bearing in mind any installation or aspects of British occupation within the Six Counties – be it at the border or elsewhere – any infrastructure would be a legitimate target for attack and armed actions against those infrastructures and against the people who are manning them.

“There’s been a border since 1921. It’s been resisted. It is being resisted.

“It will be resisted regardless of any deal formed around it.”

SDLP Policing Board member Dolores Kelly last night said: “This is something the former chief constable (George Hamilton) warned about.

“It’s very depressing and chilling.

“The most depressing part for me was not the threat against any border infrastructure, but those manning it.”

The Irish people voted for a political settlement, not violence.”